4 - 8 May 2026 • Colombo, Sri Lanka
The detailed conference schedule will be made available in early 2026, following assessment of all submitted presentation and poster abstracts, and allocations of the relevant sessions, keynotes, and side events.
All session and panel titles, hyperlinked to the detailed text, can be accessed through the following list (in alphabetical order)
Advancing Area-Based Management for Chondrichthyans: Challenges and Opportunities
Exploring how marine protected areas, OECMs, and fisheries management can be used strategically and equitably to conserve threatened chondrichthyans in support of global biodiversity and ocean governance goals.
Standard session.
Beyond the Net: Addressing the Impacts and Innovations in Shark & Ray Bycatch
This session will explore emerging research, practical innovations, and policy solutions to reduce shark and ray bycatch, particularly in data-poor, multi-gear fisheries by addressing species vulnerabilities, gear modifications, socio-economic drivers, and opportunities for regional and international collaboration to support sustainable fisheries and conservation goals.
Standard session.
Blue Finance: Exploring Innovative Funding Mechanisms for Shark and Ray Conservation
Through expert presentations and stakeholder dialogue, this session explores innovative blue finance tools available in the marine conservation financing space that can support the sustainable financing of shark and ray Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
Standard session.
Ecology and Biology — Unveiling Sharks and Rays for Informed Management
Revealing the life histories, behaviours, and roles of sharks and rays.
Standard session.
Elasmobranch Reintroductions: The Future is Now
A session devoted to exploring innovative ways of combining in-situ and ex-situ approaches to elasmobranch rewilding.
Standard session.
From Data to Policy: Managing Shared and Migratory Shark and Ray Populations
Exploring scientific advances, challenges, and collaborative approaches in managing migratory and transboundary shark and ray populations across jurisdictions.
Standard session.
From Ocean to Plate: Unpacking the Shark & Ray Meat Market
Examining the shark and ray meat trade through transdisciplinary research.
Standard session.
Genomic Frontiers in Shark Conservation: Bridging Science and Survival
This session will bring together international researchers and students, to share their experiences and challenges of working on a wide range of genomic investigations into problems of elasmobranch conservation.
Standard session.
How to Save Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras
Examine why shark and ray conservation isn’t moving fast enough to prevent widescale extinctions, explore ways to better connect scientific research with policy and enforcement, and debate the feasibility of commercial fisheries for chondrichthyans.
Standard session.
International Rhino Ray Research and Conservation
International Rhino Ray Research and Conservation
Standard session.
Leveraging Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) for Policy Action
Discover how Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) can inform global policy, strengthen marine protection, and secure a future for threatened shark, ray, and chimaera species.
Standard session.
Listed but Vulnerable: Enforcing CITES for Sharks and Rays
This expert panel explores how countries are translating CITES listings of sharks and rays into effective national policies, scientific assessments, and enforcement actions, highlighting real-world experiences and cross-sector collaboration for sustainable trade regulation.
Panel.
Living with Sharks: What does it mean for coastal communities?
An expert panel will guide a discussion on topics including depredation, shark-bite incidents, human-wildlife conflict, and alternative livelihoods for fishing communities.
Panel.
Manta Matters: Shaping Fisheries Policy with Mobulid Science
This session examines how cutting-edge research and technology are transforming mobulid conservation by driving fisheries management and policy decisions.
Standard session.
Speed talks and panel discussion on the uptake, barriers, successes and the future of Shark Plans for conservation and management.
Net Gains: Engaging Fishers to Protect Sharks and Rays
Methods, approaches and practical case studies for working with fishers to understand and address shark conservation issues.
Standard session and a panel.
Non-marine Frontiers: uncovering the secrets and charting the future of unique sharks and rays
The research and conservation status of sharks and rays in non-marine environments.
Standard session.
Quantifying the Chase: New Frontiers in Predator-Prey Dynamics
This session brings together interdisciplinary expertise to highlight emerging techniques for quantifying predator-prey interactions.
Standard session.
Research Approaches, Technology, and Tools
Innovative research methods, technologies, and tools used to study and manage sharks and rays.
Standard session.
Various tools and approaches available for effective science communication.
Standard session.
Research on the impacts of shark depredation, the shark species involved, factors that are driving it and mitigation methods that can be used to reduce it.
Standard session.
Sharks and Community Scientists: The Power of Collective Action
Community Science projects around the world.
Standard session.
Shark Conservation: Strength in Strategy
This panel explores how strategic, science-based investments and multilateral tools like CITES can transform shark and ray conservation from overlooked bycatch to prioritised, legally managed species, ultimately protecting global ocean health.
Panel.
Talks that focus on deepwater chondrichthyans
Standard session.